THEY risk their lives every day supporting the nation’s finest on the front line. And behind the scenes are specially trained engineers keeping them in the air.

They are airmen and women from RAF Benson, home of the Merlin helicopters, performing a vital role in the war against terror in Afghanistan.

As well moving troops and equipment around war-torn Helmand, they also drop off vital supplies to bases across the region, working alongside Chinook, Apache, Lynx and Sea King helicopters in use by British forces as part of Operation Herrick.

In their tent in Camp Bastion, the sprawling UK military base in southern Helmand, the Oxford Mail met one Merlin crew on standby.

To pass the time and escape the blazing heat, they watch films on make-shift sofas, tuck into chocolate treats sent by well-wishers from home, and read magazines.

But, at a moment’s notice, they can be airborne in extremes of temperature and deployed anywhere in Helmand helping support soldiers at the front line.

The Merlin fleet has undergone a £42.5m upgrade since returning from Iraq to prepare them for conditions in Afghanistan, and crews have undergone training at high altitude in the heat of the Californian desert.

In charge of the Merlin detachment in Afghanistan, 1419 Flight, is Squadron Leader Matt Aspinall.

The 36-year-old senior pilot said the crew tried not to focus on the risks flying an aircraft which to Taliban insurgents is a prime target. He said: “The training we have and the confidence you have in your crew makes you not scared. We know that we have to do the job and do it well.

“Landing in dust is a challenge. It’s like fine powder and a helicopter creates a lot of down-wind with its blades. It billows it up in large clouds and you can’t see the ground. Some of the landing sites are challenging.”

He added: “Our role is everything from resupply to emergency extraction of troops, to medical evacuation.

“The more we can ship the guys around by air the less time they have to spend making high-risk journeys on the ground.”

Crewman Sgt Lewis Tyrell, 25, of Sutton Courtenay, is a month into his 10-week tour and recalled a tricky landing just a few days ago.

He said: “We flew into a landing site the other day and we ‘browned out’ on the first two attempts. The pilot lost his visual references to land safely. It took three goes. We had to clear off to the north for five minutes and make another attempt.”

Sgt Adrian Searle, 31, of Chequers Place, Cholsey, is a crewman on board the helicopter and is three weeks into his 10-week tour.

He said: “I used to work in computers and it was quite a dull, tedious life.

“As crewmen our prime role is the safety of the helicopter. We are responsible for looking after the cockpit, loading, and we keep an eye on the back of the aircraft and out to the sides. We also man the guns.”

Within the aircraft hangar is a team of hidden heroes – 60 engineers on hand day and night to service every helicopter after every journey and fixing any problems.

Avionics technician Corporal Ed Day, 30, and Senior Aircraftman Andrew Hunton, 28, maintain all the electronic equipment on board, including radar communication, navigation and weapon aiming.

The pair are well aware of the importance of their job.

SAC Hunton said: “It’s the guys out there who are making the difference. The more serviceable aircraft we have, the safer the guys will be.”

Cpl Day said: “It’s a bigger band of brothers here and anything we can do to support them, we do. We can’t do enough. Joining the RAF was the best decision I made.”

Armourer Charis Antoniou, 27, is a weapons technician and looks after the on-board weapons on the Merlins and Sea Kings.

He said: “The best thing about the job is you get to travel and work with interesting weapons, but the worst is working in the heat and working long hours. You just grin and bear it if you are having a bad day.”

Flt Lt David Murfin, 42, is in charge of all the Merlin engineers.

He said: “This is what engineering at the front line is all about. For me it’s making sure these helicopters do what they need to do for the troops on the ground.”

  • Sergeant Adrian Searle, 31 Of Chequers Place, Cholsey, has been a Merlin crewman for three years.

Best thing about the job: When you get to do a casualty evacuation, it’s a really palpable sense of achievement.

Worst thing about the job: The lack of routine because a lot of what we do is reactive.

Best feature about Camp Bastion: The puddings, ice cream and cheesecake especially.

Worst feature about Camp Bastion: The sand, the dust and the rubbish showers.

  • SERGEANT Steve Thomas, 33 Lives in Swindon but is based at RAF Benson. He is a crewman and is engaged to fiancee Melanie Pike, 31, who is expecting the couple’s first baby.

Best thing about the job: I train the guys before they come out so I get to see how well I have trained them. Taking them from the basics when they join to training them into effective combat operators is satisfying.

Worst thing about the job: Nothing sticks in my mind. Everything is better than it was in Iraq.

Best feature about Camp Bastion: The accommodation is really good, you get a lot more sleep because it’s air conditioned.

Worst feature about Camp Bastion: Nothing, although I do miss my family and Chinese food.

  • SERGEANT Lewis Tyrell, 25 Of Sutton Courtenay. A Merlin crewman, originally from near Blackpool.

Best thing about the job: Doing what we have been trained to do. I’ve spent three and a half years training and now I’m out here, it’s cool.

Worst thing about the job: Being the new boy and having the least experience.

Best feature about Camp Bastion: Probably the welfare packages, the phone card. We get 30 minutes a week and Wi-fi, and there is scope for sending and receiving mail and parcels.

Worst feature about Camp Bastion: All the dust getting everywhere.

  • Flying officer Pilot Chris Billows, 23 Married to Becky Billows, 20, and lives at RAF Benson.

Best thing about the job: The flying. Always learning and improving every time you go flying and learning new ways to do things.

Worst thing about the job: Just being out here is the most challenging part of the job. Every day is a challenge.

Best feature about Camp Bastion: Not having an excuse not to go to the gym.

Worst feature about Camp Bastion: Not being able to go home every evening. I only got married in April and I was just settling into married life and now I’ve come away. But I’ve got my honeymoon when I get back so it gives me something to look forward to.

  • Squadron Leader Matt Aspinall, 36 Lives at the Benson airbase and is married to supply teacher Jude, 39. He has two children.

Best thing about the job: It’s doing something I’ve always wanted to do, so the flying, but now leading a bunch of guys is pretty rewarding, I’ve got quite a good bunch.

Worst thing about the job: The effect this job has on my family. In a lot of ways the job is quite selfish, but my wife is very supportive and over the years she has got more supportive as she understands what the job means.

Best feature about Camp Bastion: The gym.

Worst feature about Camp Bastion: Constantly having to drink water can get on your nerves. We have to drink about nine litres a day.